European policy expert Janis A. Emmanouilidis from the European Policy Centre (EPC) discusses the upcoming EU Summit with journalist Ellie Mears. On 17-18 March, EU leaders will gather to discuss further steps in addressing the migration crisis that has been violently striking the EU over the past few months. Earlier this month, a special EU-Turkey summit was convened where EU leaders and Turkish Prime Minister tabled down a proposal on solutions to lift the burden off Turkey and other countries. But this was perceived as a mere proposal and ‘things need to be concretely agreed on’ argues Emmanouilidis. Divergences of opinions and the reluctance of some EU Member States have somewhat impeded the process, thus putting a lot of pressure on the 28 and others actors involved to rapidly come up with a satisfactory compromise and bring to light some clarifications on what seems to remain a red-tape limbo.

Although overshadowed by migration crisis discussions, EU leaders will also discuss the priorities for the 2016 European Semester and assess progress made to further foster and reform the European Single Market, one of the warhorses of the Dutch Presidency.

The European Policy Centre (EPC) is a Brussels-based independent think tank focussing on European integration providing high-quality analysis on the EU policy agenda. The EPC has a strong multi-constituency approach. Its members include private companies, business federations, trade unions, public institutions and NGOs.

Janis A. Emmanouilidis has been working as the EPC’s Senior Policy Analyst since 1999 and was recently promoted to Director of Studies. His publications cover the EU’s overall political and institutional development, the sovereign debt crisis, EU integration, EU foreign policy as well as EU enlargement. Emmanouilidis also acts as an advisor to various governments, EU institutions, European parties and NGOs.